A seminar at The Infrastructure Show, NEC 19 October 2010, considered how value for money can be achieved in interchange upgrades over the long term. John McNulty - Head of Interchange, also described methods in use in London by Transport for London (TfL) to ensure costs are kept low where possible, knowledge shared and the whole range of options considered to maximise the opportunity to ensure public transport, walking and cycling are as attractive as they can be.
Best Practice guidelines have been published and updated as knowledge and case studies have been recorded. These are based around four design themes Efficiency, Usability, Understanding and Quality.
Interchanges have been defined and graded into a number of types from strategic, inter-regional to local. TfL have classified a total 645 material interchanges, where people can change between one mode of transport to another. The Legible London totem signs are an example of the effort to made to provide simple information to people in a consistent way; at the same time it provides a great opportunity to 'de-cluster' streets of vast numbers of signage etc. and integrate relevant information in one place.
This itself is not a simple job as there are many views that could have been considered; this article in the Londonist attests.
The use of a common relevant transport model across all the different stakeholders, for recent major and complex interchanges such as King's Cross/St Pancras, have provided an invaluable tool to ensure demand and design requirements are fully understood, considered and implemented.
The use of a common relevant transport model across all the different stakeholders, for recent major and complex interchanges such as King's Cross/St Pancras, have provided an invaluable tool to ensure demand and design requirements are fully understood, considered and implemented.
It would be useful to see some simple key metrics for the potential capacity (local and regional), intended design/ functionality, and actual use of the interchanges in each category types. This would enable people to see the tangible benefits of better and optimal interchange design, the value of investing in the detail of the scheme for long-term gains in performance and behavioural change.
+sample+EXTRACT.pdf) |
| Example of two pages within the TfL Quick Reference Guide |
'Improved public transport interchange hubs that enable better integration of London's public transport are a key element of the Mayor's transport priorities. Integration is about making public transport more attractive to existing and potential passengers and about how the transport system, including interchanges, can contribute to the achievement of broader economic, social, and environmental objectives.'
The 'website, and supporting Quick Reference Guide (PDF 2.2MB), has been designed to provide advice and guidance. The focus of the guidelines is multi-modal interchange between one mode of public transport and another for example between bus and train. It also considers interchange between public transport and the feeder modes used to get to and from the interchange for example walk, cycle or motor vehicle. '
Transport for London Interchange microsite - Useful Links page
Transport for London Interchange microsite - Useful Links page
